As a first-generation student and a single mother, Najma Issa wasn’t sure what to expect going back to college after taking time away from school to raise her kids. Najma’s first year she didn’t ask for help, but after finding out about TRIO Student Support Services on the college’s website and hearing from program advisor, Heather Kaminsen, it was an easy to decision to be part of TRIO.
“TRIO has been great,” said Najma. “I didn’t know it existed until Heather reached out to me. They have helped support me inside and outside of the classroom, and helped me decide what classes to take to stay on track. I wish I had started TRIO my first year at Normandale.”
Najma mentions that some of the struggles first-generation students can have when they start college is not knowing what resources available and who to ask for help. This was something TRIO’s advisors immediately helped her with.
“The advisors with TRIO are like mentors who help me succeed,” said Najma. “One of the things I focused on when I joined TRIO is to show other first-generation students that is alright to ask for help, and that TRIO and other resources at Normandale are there to support your success. “
Najma is finishing her nursing pre-requisites, and hopes to become a nurse practitioner. She worked as pharmacy technician at a community pharmacy in high school and is now the manager. Helping people feels like it comes naturally to her.
“Caring for people is always something I enjoyed doing,” said Najma. “Helping customers and people just makes me feel satisfied.”
Another resource Najma has appreciated are the instructors who find times to meet with her during her busy schedule of working five days a week and raising children.
“The Normandale instructors have been very helpful in setting up times that worked for my schedule to provide help in courses,” said Najma. “With work and my children, the office hours didn’t always work for my schedule, so they looked for other hours they could set up, emailed me, or did a Zoom call to help answer questions.”
Najma mentions that it can be difficult to raise kids as a single mother and go to school at the same time, but now that her kids are going to school, she is enjoying learning with them as they grow.
“My kids are great cheerleaders for me,” said Najma. “They always want to know about what I am doing when I go to school. I think it is great that I am going to college while they are in school learning too. It can be tough to balance everything sometimes, but I know they will understand and be excited when I graduate, and it will be great for them to see that and learn they can do it too.”
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